Key Takeaways
1. GTA 6 development began around 2014, but significant progress didn’t start until 2018 after Red Dead Redemption 2’s release.
2. The game’s codename was Project Americas, with initial plans for a storyline set in Vice City and South America.
3. Development faced delays due to the COVID pandemic and changes in company leadership.
4. Rockstar Games is focused on creating expansive maps, which requires a detailed and careful development process.
5. If GTA 6 is released in May 2026, it will have been at least eight years in development, raising high expectations from gamers.
The delay in the release date for GTA 6 has left many gamers feeling upset as they wait for the next crime-themed adventure. Various reports suggest that the development of this title kicked off back in 2014. However, despite the time that has passed since GTA 5, Rockstar Games still isn’t ready to launch the sequel. Interestingly, former artist David O’Reilly shared that he only began his work on the game in 2018 after the new GTA 6 trailer was released.
Development Timeline
It’s worth noting that gamers shouldn’t jump to conclusions about Rockstar Games planning GTA 6 for the last seven years. It’s likely that ideas for the game started to develop soon after the previous installment. However, before designers can create assets, they need a more concrete concept to work with.
Project Americas
In 2018, there was a leak regarding GTA 6, known as Project Americas, which was the codename for the game. Initially, the storyline was planned to unfold in Vice City and South America, with a female character resembling Lucia at the center. This period aligns with when O’Reilly began contributing to the project. In his video, he also mentioned that Rockstar Games didn’t fully dedicate their resources to GTA 6 until after the release of Red Dead Redemption 2.
Even though development might not have picked up speed until 2018, that still marks at least eight years before the potential release of GTA 6. Various factors have contributed to the title’s gradual development. The studio has committed to creating expansive maps, which require a meticulous process to bring to life. Like many developers, Rockstar Games faced delays due to the COVID pandemic. Around this time, Bloomberg also reported that the company let go of abusive executives and reduced working hours for employees.
Expectations for the Future
O’Reilly’s insights underscore that the process of game development involves multiple cycles. It could have taken four years for designers to start modeling the new Vice City. If GTA 6 is finally released in May 2026, gamers can only wish that it lives up to their high hopes and expectations.
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